AAA contractor towed my wife's Accord 50 miles with the e-brake on
#1
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
AAA contractor towed my wife's Accord 50 miles with the e-brake on
I'm very annoyed at this moment. My wife had a flat tire so I called AAA to have them tow the Accord home. When I approached the car the smell of the burning brakes was nauseating. Then, I saw the driver peek into the car, open the door, and sneakily release the parking brake. WTF? When I confronted him, he said he had released it before they got going, and that it somehow engaged itself. My wife later told me that she never saw him get in the car in the beginning.
When I parked the car, the brake pedal sank all the way down, and I'm guessing that's from the hot brake fluid. I also believe that in my wife's Accord, the e-brake is the same as the regular brake on the rear, which is a drum system. So, looks like I'll be getting new brakes for the rears?
You expect more from professionals, and if they mess up, at least they could take responsibility. Blah. Thanks for listening.
/rant
When I parked the car, the brake pedal sank all the way down, and I'm guessing that's from the hot brake fluid. I also believe that in my wife's Accord, the e-brake is the same as the regular brake on the rear, which is a drum system. So, looks like I'll be getting new brakes for the rears?
You expect more from professionals, and if they mess up, at least they could take responsibility. Blah. Thanks for listening.
/rant
#2
Senior Moderator
I'm very annoyed at this moment. My wife had a flat tire so I called AAA to have them tow the Accord home. When I approached the car the smell of the burning brakes was nauseating. Then, I saw the driver peek into the car, open the door, and sneakily release the parking brake. WTF? When I confronted him, he said he had released it before they got going, and that it somehow engaged itself. My wife later told me that she never saw him get in the car in the beginning.
When I parked the car, the brake pedal sank all the way down, and I'm guessing that's from the hot brake fluid. I also believe that in my wife's Accord, the e-brake is the same as the regular brake on the rear, which is a drum system. So, looks like I'll be getting new brakes for the rears?
You expect more from professionals, and if they mess up, at least they could take responsibility. Blah. Thanks for listening.
/rant
When I parked the car, the brake pedal sank all the way down, and I'm guessing that's from the hot brake fluid. I also believe that in my wife's Accord, the e-brake is the same as the regular brake on the rear, which is a drum system. So, looks like I'll be getting new brakes for the rears?
You expect more from professionals, and if they mess up, at least they could take responsibility. Blah. Thanks for listening.
/rant
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MrOtocinclus (08-16-2011)
#3
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call up AAA or the towing company they used and their insurance should cover it. That's just stupidity and negligence on the drivers part. What year is your accord? As far as I know, all of the 2003+ ones use calipers for the main brakes but small drum ones in the rear that should have no effect on the brake fluid.
#7
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
Thanks everyone for the replies. It's amazing how a few hours of sleep can clear the head. I was not in a good mood last night. Mods, would it be possible to change the "dumb f*ck" in the title to "AAA contractor"? My apologies...
It's a 2005 Accord DX Value Package (i.e. the cheaper one), so I believe the rear service and parking brakes share the same drum. My understanding is that when the brake fluid gets hot the pedal will go all the way to the floor due to the loss of pressure from the fluid turning from liquid to gas. Please correct me if I'm wrong!
I was asking myself the same thing last night. The Accord has not really been taken care of. I had actually warned my wife against driving 50+ miles on a cheap used tire (the one that went flat) that my b-i-l had put on for her. With that in mind, the temporary spare "donut" is over 6 years old and I was not comfortable with her driving on it. Plus, I recently upgraded to the AAA that includes 100 miles of towing, so I wanted to take advantage of it.
Thanks, I'm definitely going to do this.
Yeah, I think he knew he messed up, and was just making stuff up as he talked to me. He did give me the name of his supervisor, so I'll be giving him a call today.
Thanks again, everyone. I have to remind myself that it's just a tire (or just a braking system?!) and not the end of the world. I'll update the thread if/when there's new information. Have a great day!
call up AAA or the towing company they used and their insurance should cover it. That's just stupidity and negligence on the drivers part. What year is your accord? As far as I know, all of the 2003+ ones use calipers for the main brakes but small drum ones in the rear that should have no effect on the brake fluid.
Thanks again, everyone. I have to remind myself that it's just a tire (or just a braking system?!) and not the end of the world. I'll update the thread if/when there's new information. Have a great day!
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#8
Senior Moderator
Thanks everyone for the replies. It's amazing how a few hours of sleep can clear the head. I was not in a good mood last night. Mods, would it be possible to change the "dumb f*ck" in the title to "AAA contractor"? My apologies...
It's a 2005 Accord DX Value Package (i.e. the cheaper one), so I believe the rear service and parking brakes share the same drum. My understanding is that when the brake fluid gets hot the pedal will go all the way to the floor due to the loss of pressure from the fluid turning from liquid to gas. Please correct me if I'm wrong!
I was asking myself the same thing last night. The Accord has not really been taken care of. I had actually warned my wife against driving 50+ miles on a cheap used tire (the one that went flat) that my b-i-l had put on for her. With that in mind, the temporary spare "donut" is over 6 years old and I was not comfortable with her driving on it. Plus, I recently upgraded to the AAA that includes 100 miles of towing, so I wanted to take advantage of it.
Thanks, I'm definitely going to do this.
Yeah, I think he knew he messed up, and was just making stuff up as he talked to me. He did give me the name of his supervisor, so I'll be giving him a call today.
Thanks again, everyone. I have to remind myself that it's just a tire (or just a braking system?!) and not the end of the world. I'll update the thread if/when there's new information. Have a great day!
It's a 2005 Accord DX Value Package (i.e. the cheaper one), so I believe the rear service and parking brakes share the same drum. My understanding is that when the brake fluid gets hot the pedal will go all the way to the floor due to the loss of pressure from the fluid turning from liquid to gas. Please correct me if I'm wrong!
I was asking myself the same thing last night. The Accord has not really been taken care of. I had actually warned my wife against driving 50+ miles on a cheap used tire (the one that went flat) that my b-i-l had put on for her. With that in mind, the temporary spare "donut" is over 6 years old and I was not comfortable with her driving on it. Plus, I recently upgraded to the AAA that includes 100 miles of towing, so I wanted to take advantage of it.
Thanks, I'm definitely going to do this.
Yeah, I think he knew he messed up, and was just making stuff up as he talked to me. He did give me the name of his supervisor, so I'll be giving him a call today.
Thanks again, everyone. I have to remind myself that it's just a tire (or just a braking system?!) and not the end of the world. I'll update the thread if/when there's new information. Have a great day!
Once the fluid heats up enough it'll boil and turn into gas that won't allow the brakes to engage. As well, if the pads are worn down enough the pedal will go down and you won't have much braking either!
I suggest that you get on doing some maintenance on the car like the brakes, fluid changes, and get a new tire on the spare! Just give them a call and they'll take care of it!
#11
^heat transfer. Needs a new brake line also.
#12
AZ Community Team
On other thing to check beside the rear drum and shoes is the wheel bearings in the rear. A friend's girlfriend did the same thing to his Prelude and the heat buildup in the rear brakes caused the rear sealed bearings to go bad after a couple thousand miles after that happened. So also check the rear wheel bearings, they're sealed and may be toast.
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MrOtocinclus (08-18-2011)
#14
You'll want to replace everything on the rear brakes. Calipers, rotors, rubber brake lines, e-brake pads and disc. brake pads. It's ALL been super heated. I'm sure your going to fine the calipers and rotors blue from the heat. When you boil brake fluid it's NEVER the same afterwards.
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MrOtocinclus (08-18-2011)
#15
Team Owner
always, always always flatbed.... I believe AAA should and will reimburse you if you file the report with AAA while you were there. However, if you waited for days then call AAA, then it would be his words vs your words.
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MrOtocinclus (08-18-2011)
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MrOtocinclus (08-18-2011)
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MrOtocinclus (08-18-2011)
#18
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
Just a quick status update: I had the car towed (AAA lady asked for a flatbed for me!) to my local Acura dealership (I've received very good service there, and they have good reviews as well) and they recommended changing out the rear drums, which I OK'd. When I asked them about the brake lines and fluid, they said that they seemed fine, but I had them change the fluid anyway. The car is supposed to be ready today.
The manager of the towing company has been very professional about the whole situation. He's going to pay for everything and has already contacted my service advisor directly. Next time I'll definitely ask for a flatbed. At the time, it never occurred to me that something like this would happen.
Re: the rear bearings, I'll ask the advisor later today when he calls. I have the shop manual for this car so I may take a look myself, but obviously I'd rather not if I can avoid it.
Thanks everyone for your comments and advice. My remaining concern is whether the car is safe to drive after this debacle. As some of you mentioned, the brake fluid was super heated, and that affects the entire system. Who knows what might happen down the line? I might just drive the car for awhile before letting my wife drive it again. Or, maybe I'll just trade it in for a new car.
Thanks again!
Edit: nj2pa2nc, thanks for the reminder. I forgot to mention that yes, I'm going to get new tires for the car, and luckily there is a highly rated shop across the street from the Acura dealer.
Edit #2: Decided to just call my advisor re: wheel bearings. He says he'll make a special note to the tech... but the best part is he told me that the tech is a 25+ year experience guy, so that definitely makes me feel better.
The manager of the towing company has been very professional about the whole situation. He's going to pay for everything and has already contacted my service advisor directly. Next time I'll definitely ask for a flatbed. At the time, it never occurred to me that something like this would happen.
Re: the rear bearings, I'll ask the advisor later today when he calls. I have the shop manual for this car so I may take a look myself, but obviously I'd rather not if I can avoid it.
Thanks everyone for your comments and advice. My remaining concern is whether the car is safe to drive after this debacle. As some of you mentioned, the brake fluid was super heated, and that affects the entire system. Who knows what might happen down the line? I might just drive the car for awhile before letting my wife drive it again. Or, maybe I'll just trade it in for a new car.
Thanks again!
Edit: nj2pa2nc, thanks for the reminder. I forgot to mention that yes, I'm going to get new tires for the car, and luckily there is a highly rated shop across the street from the Acura dealer.
Edit #2: Decided to just call my advisor re: wheel bearings. He says he'll make a special note to the tech... but the best part is he told me that the tech is a 25+ year experience guy, so that definitely makes me feel better.
Last edited by MrOtocinclus; 08-18-2011 at 01:07 PM.
#19
AZ Community Team
Glad to read they're taking care of you.
When my friend's G/F pulled up in his Prelude (2G) at night the rear rotors were glowing red. She drove it ~30 miles to his house (she borrowed it) on the highway with the parking brake on. My friend was still amazing she didn't notice the red brake light on the dash or the smell of burning brakes. He shrugged it off and replaced the pads, fluid and eventually the bearings, the things we do for love
When my friend's G/F pulled up in his Prelude (2G) at night the rear rotors were glowing red. She drove it ~30 miles to his house (she borrowed it) on the highway with the parking brake on. My friend was still amazing she didn't notice the red brake light on the dash or the smell of burning brakes. He shrugged it off and replaced the pads, fluid and eventually the bearings, the things we do for love
#20
Bonki' Ehrite!
iTrader: (2)
The brake fluid has a certain boiling point, so in this case, the brakes far exceeded that temperature causing the fluid to boil and vaporize...When it does this, its properties are changed and the fluid must be changed...When it boils, air pockets can form in the system as well..
I would love to see the glazing on those parking brake shoes and drum.
I would love to see the glazing on those parking brake shoes and drum.
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